The national capital of India is notorious for its toxic air quality, especially during the winter months. With the Air Quality Index consistently breaching severe levels, the Delhi’s smoggy skyline has become emblematic of a deeper crisis that threatens public health and the environment alike. The situation warrants urgent government intervention and policy changes.
On December 16, Delhi’s AQI soared to 410, signalling a severe level of air pollution. In several areas, including Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar, and Anand Vihar, AQI levels surpassed 440, leaving residents gasping for fresh air. The pollution level has come down since then, but still hovers around an unhealthy AQI of 300 on Christmas day. The primary culprit for this condition is PM2.5 particles, tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. These microscopic pollutants have been linked to a range of health issues, from chronic bronchitis to lung cancer, and their impacts are felt most acutely by children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
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Hospitals have been witnessing a surge in patients suffering from pollution-related ailments, highlighting the urgency of addressing this escalating public health crisis. Experts warn that air pollution now poses a graver threat to human health than even the COVID-19 pandemic, with its far-reaching and long-lasting consequences on physical well-being.
Factors behind Delhi’s toxic air
Delhi’s air pollution is fuelled by a combination of factors, each contributing significantly to the city’s deteriorating air quality. Vehicular emissions remain one of the largest contributors, accounting for over 14% of the PM2.5 levels. The city’s 15 million registered vehicles continue to emit harmful pollutants, with the surge in private vehicle ownership compounding the problem. Meanwhile, stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, though seasonal, leads to a sharp spike in pollution levels during the winter. This practice, coupled with unfavourable meteorological conditions, often turns Delhi into a gas chamber.
Adding to this mix are dust from construction activities and unpaved roads, industrial emissions, and the rampant burning of waste. These sources cumulatively create a toxic cocktail of pollutants that choke the city year-round. While stubble burning has received significant attention, it contributes only about 3% to Delhi’s annual pollution levels. However, during its peak, its impact becomes disproportionately large, exacerbating the existing crisis.
The arrival of winter compounds Delhi’s pollution problem through meteorological phenomena such as low wind speeds and temperature inversions. These conditions trap pollutants close to the ground, resulting in the thick, choking smog that blankets the city. This layer of smog, often indistinguishable from natural fog, reduces visibility and exacerbates respiratory issues for residents. Adding to the pollution are practices like burning firewood to stay warm, which not only contribute to localised pollution but also highlight the socioeconomic challenges faced by the city’s poorer residents during harsh winters.
Policy gaps and inefficiencies
Despite several measures to combat pollution, systemic inefficiencies and policy gaps limit their effectiveness. Policies such as the Graded Response Action Plan seek to mitigate pollution but often fail to address the structural causes. For instance, restrictions on truck entry and construction activities may provide temporary relief but have minimal impact on the primary sources of pollution, such as vehicular emissions.
Furthermore, vehicle taxation policies in Delhi continue to favour private cars over buses, discouraging the use of public transport. This imbalance not only increases the number of vehicles on the road but also contributes to the worsening air quality. The lack of coordinated efforts is evident in the underutilisation of funds allocated for air quality improvement. Between 2019 and 2023, 70% of Delhi’s National Clean Air Programme funds remained unspent, while key positions in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee continue to lie vacant. These systemic failures underscore the need for better governance and resource management to tackle the crisis effectively.
Charting a path to clean environment
To reclaim Delhi’s air, a comprehensive, long-term strategy is imperative. Transforming the city’s transportation system is a crucial starting point. Promoting electric vehicles through subsidies, tax incentives, and the expansion of charging infrastructure can help reduce vehicular emissions significantly. Simultaneously, improving public transport by investing in faster, more reliable metro and bus networks is essential to encourage people to shift away from private vehicles. Strict enforcement of Pollution Under Control certifications and the adoption of cleaner fuel technologies must also be prioritised.
Addressing stubble burning requires innovative solutions, such as the widespread use of bio-decomposers, which can break down crop residue without resorting to fire. Providing financial incentives to farmers to adopt sustainable practices, such as mechanised sowing and alternative methods of waste disposal, can also help mitigate this seasonal contributor to pollution. Additionally, urban greening projects can play a vital role in improving air quality. Expanding Delhi’s green cover will not only act as a natural filter for pollutants but also enhance the city’s resilience to extreme weather conditions.
Industrial and waste management reforms are equally critical. Real-time monitoring of industrial emissions and strict penalties for violators can help control pollution from factories. Enforcing bans on waste burning with heavy fines and promoting responsible waste disposal practices will further reduce pollution levels. Public awareness campaigns highlighting the health impacts of air pollution can foster behavioural changes among citizens, such as carpooling and adopting cleaner energy solutions at the household level.
Cities like London demonstrate how stringent policies and innovative solutions can lead to cleaner air. Measures such as congestion pricing, a transition to renewable energy sources, and advanced public transportation systems have significantly improved London’s air quality. Delhi can learn from these examples, adapting them to its unique challenges while leveraging its technological and policy-making capabilities.
Delhi’s air pollution crisis is a wake-up call for all stakeholders—government bodies, businesses, and citizens alike. Collaborative governance, supported by scientific expertise and public participation, is essential to addressing this challenge. Through a concerted effort to reduce vehicular emissions, promote renewable energy, tackle industrial pollution, and encourage sustainable practices, Delhi can aspire to a future where its residents can breathe freely and its children can gaze at a star-lit sky.